Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bill Maher calls U.S. cowardly; FedEx pulls ads from show
Houston Chronicle ^ | Sept. 19, 2001 | MIKE McDANIEL

Posted on 09/19/2001 9:35:35 AM PDT by jern

Sept. 19, 2001, 9:00AM

Bill Maher calls U.S. cowardly; FedEx pulls ads from show

By MIKE McDANIEL
Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle TV Editor

Federal Express ordered its ads removed from the ABC late-night series Politically Incorrect on Tuesday after the show's host referred to recent U.S. military actions as "cowardly."

After receiving complaints from around the country, including Houston, Federal Express reviewed Monday's edition of the show and decided to act, company spokesperson Carla Richards said.

Richards said she did not know how many complaints the company received, but that they were of sufficient quantity to merit the actions the company took.

"The (30-second) ad that runs during that show has been pulled for the indefinite future," Richards said.

Dinesh D'Souza, a panelist on Monday's show, quibbled with a reference made by President George W. Bush that the suicide bombers were cowards, noting that they gave up their lives for whatever may be their cause.

"These are warriors," D'Souza said, "and we have to realize that the principles of our way of life are in conflict with people in the world."

"We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away," said Bill Maher, the host of Politically Incorrect. "That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."

"I was just appalled," said Dan Patrick, general manager of KSEV (700 AM) and host of a radio talk show. "When you call our men in the (armed forces) cowards and our military policy cowardly, and when you call these hijackers `warriors,' that should not be tolerated."

Patrick urged listeners to call KTRK and urge the station to stop carrying the "irresponsible" program. Other hosts of KSEV talk shows made the same request.

"The First Amendment gives us the freedom of speech, but it does not guarantee anyone a TV show or a TV camera or a radio show, for that matter," Patrick said. "If Bill Maher believes that Americans are cowards and hijackers are warriors, let him go out on the street corner and shout that. But Disney does not have to give him a TV show and Channel 13 does not have to air that show."

KTRK said it received a number of calls -- "in the low hundreds," the station said. The station said it receives triple that amount when it pre-empts a soap opera. It had no further comment.

ABC issued a statement saying, in part, that Politically Incorrect "celebrates freedom of speech and encourages the animated exchange of ideas and opinions. Understandably, this forum can oftentimes arouse intense emotions, especially during such a sensitive time.

"While we remain sensitive to the current climate following last week's tragedy, and continue to do our part to help viewers cope with unfolding events, we have an obligation to offer a forum for the expression of our nation's diverse opinions."

Return to top


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 261-274 next last
To: jern
ABC is beyond redemption. Peter Jennings and Bill Maher represent the anti-American left.
41 posted on 09/19/2001 10:14:54 AM PDT by onyx
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: jern
The soldiers aren't cowards. They're risking their lives flying missions which make them vulnerable to SAMs and all kinds of flak, even if they do fly at high altitudes. I don't think I have the balls to risk getting shot down over a hostile nation. And the personnel launching missiles are just following orders. It's their leaders who are the cowards, and in the case of recent military actions we all know who that is.
42 posted on 09/19/2001 10:15:10 AM PDT by drew
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CCRM (~& bert especially)
"Richards said she did not know how many complaints the company received, but that they were of sufficient quantity to merit the actions the company took."

Folks, this is some of that indirect *feedback* I alluded was crucial some months back; when we were speculating on the exact effectiveness of boycotts, mail campaigns et al?
It was said that in all but the most extreme of circumstance, would the media's stone-wall be breached enough so we could take an accurate measurement of angry consummer's impact on a corporation.

Well my compatriots?
Here's just such a breach.

We need to discuss this matter in greater detail.

43 posted on 09/19/2001 10:15:32 AM PDT by Landru
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wvnavyvet
Good for you. I haven't watched what you haven't watched either, for a couple of years now.
44 posted on 09/19/2001 10:15:43 AM PDT by wingnuts'nbolts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
The cowards are the ones who ordered it, not the ones who carried it out. It gets especially cowardly when those who are responsible don't claim responsibility. Fact is, we are dealing with cowards.
45 posted on 09/19/2001 10:16:54 AM PDT by GuillermoX
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: ChaseR/Snow Bunny/Goldilucky/Ragtime Cowgirl/DLfromthedeseret
Check it out, folks; read it & weep.
Spread the word accordingly.

Thanks.

46 posted on 09/19/2001 10:18:35 AM PDT by Landru
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: wardaddy
I think he's half-Jewish.

Does that make your comments half-truish?

I hate the guy too.

Can't wait till he's through.

Who watches his show,

I really don't know,

Bye-bye now I've got to go.

Burma Shave.

47 posted on 09/19/2001 10:20:16 AM PDT by x
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Matchett-PI
Apparently Sears is one of them, from what I gathered on another thread. My mom called and complained and they told her they are being swamped with calls asking them to pull their advertisting from the show. Mom told them it had hit the internet. Go Freepers!
48 posted on 09/19/2001 10:20:23 AM PDT by 2Jedismom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Landru
I've tried many times this morning to get through to Houston's abc affiliate, Channel 13..busy, busy, busy...hahaha. I'll continue and sooner or later, they'll hear my wrath.
49 posted on 09/19/2001 10:21:23 AM PDT by ChaseR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: ArcLight
Much as I despise his show, Maher has a point here. War from 15,000 feet is rather cowardly, if you think about it.

And smart, if you believe in killing innocent people, because your own fighters live to be able to kill more innocent people. I wonder why Bin Laden didn't do it that way?

50 posted on 09/19/2001 10:22:07 AM PDT by syriacus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: usconservative, 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember
All freaking right already!!!!! KNOCK IT OFF!!!

Wouldn't you rather have a little friendly disruption on FR than NO MORE Freedom to complain on these threads? Someone has to pay the bills.

How much have YOU contributed???

51 posted on 09/19/2001 10:22:13 AM PDT by Gracey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Serb5150
No doubt Maher was merely displaying his bias against the USA, playing the liberals' favorite card in the deck, the Joker that reads "No matter what happens, it's America's fault and we deserve it because of all the evil we've done in the past, and are still doing under the leadership of President-Select George W."

To play the verbal game, though, it is COWARDLY to lob a 'million dollar missile into an empty $10 tent and hit a camel in the butt."

What Maher will never confornt is the fact that his hero and role model, x42 xill xlinton, enabled the terrorists while jerking off in the Oval Office for 8 years. He'll never understand that only a real man, a grown-up, a Texas Ranger, has the stuff to nail these bastards.

Brokaw/Rather/Jennings, the entire crew will NEVER GRASP THAT FACT.

ARRRRGHHHHH!!!! They piss me off.

52 posted on 09/19/2001 10:22:26 AM PDT by jwfiv
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: A Vast RightWing Conspirator
It was also courageous for 4 terrorists armed with box cutters to confront and control 100 passengers + crew.

It is NOT courageous for armed men to bully, slash, and intimidate, and kill unarmed, inoffensive persons without the slightest justification or excuse. It is despicable, snivelling cowardice.

Let these terrorists try the same tactics with plane load of armed Special Forces soldiers and I will call them courageous.

53 posted on 09/19/2001 10:25:17 AM PDT by Kevin Curry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Landru
Thanks for the flag! I'm more heartened by FedEx's response than surprised by anything Bill Maher might say. Hollywood, in their attempt to lead the nation in healing, has blown their cover by asking ultra-partisan Rosie O'Donell to lead the Friday benefit. Deliberate slap in the face to our Commander-in-Chief, and televised on every network.
54 posted on 09/19/2001 10:25:19 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: 2Jedismom
BTTT
55 posted on 09/19/2001 10:25:39 AM PDT by Matchett-PI (We need to DEFUND the Left ... One way or the other!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Benrand
You clould make a case the Usama is a coward, sending people to their death, instead of doing it himself.

How true!!

Instead of using his millions of dollars to build a better life for his brothers (venture capitalism, opening factories to employ them, etc), he is using his millions to have them kill themselves.

56 posted on 09/19/2001 10:26:38 AM PDT by syriacus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: ChaseR
"I'll continue and sooner or later, they'll hear my wrath."

That's right...Houston.
Boy-oh-boy; the FedEx'rs know-not what they've bought into now.
Not until they recieve the CaseR-tizing of their lives.
There's not many around with the fire & sting of your righteous rage!! >>>> POWWWWW!!!! <<<<

Give 'em a what-for from Indiana, my friend.

57 posted on 09/19/2001 10:27:34 AM PDT by Landru
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: ArcLight
Bill Clinton is cowardly, I agree with you.
58 posted on 09/19/2001 10:29:27 AM PDT by everlast
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: ArcLight
Much as I despise his show, Maher has a point here. War from 15,000 feet is rather cowardly, if you think about it.

Let's get this straight: war from any distance, when waged against EVIL, is always courageous. On the other hand, it may take cojones to commit suicide and slaughter the innocent in the process, but IT DOES NOT INVOLVE COURAGE. Courage is not a word that EVER applies to terrorists.
'Nuff said.

59 posted on 09/19/2001 10:30:01 AM PDT by the herald
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: usconservative
"Every damn' thread I try reading has this on it. It's enough to turn me off to FR totally."

Then close your eyes and shutup.

60 posted on 09/19/2001 10:30:21 AM PDT by ChaseR
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 261-274 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson